Keyboard supporting tray and arm rests for conventional open arm office chairs

ABSTRACT

A peripheral device support assembly. The peripheral device support assembly includes two detachable armrest and support tray adapted to be attached to each arm of an office chair. The detachable armrest and support tray includes a mount for securing the armrest support unit to a chair arm and a first portion hingedly attached to the mount for allowing the first portion to swivel in relation to the mount. The detachable armrest and support tray also includes a second portion pivotally connected to the second portion such that the first portion folds back over a second portion for storage. A tray spans the distance between the second portion of each detachable armrest and support tray to provide additional workspace.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to ergonomic peripheral devicesupport assemblies, and more specifically to an ergonomic keyboard andmouse pad supporting tray and arm rest for use with conventional openarm office chairs.

The typical computer mouse rests on a desk adjacent a computer monitor.The keyboard may also lie next to the monitor or alternatively may behoused in front of the keyboard. Often this arrangement causes a user tohold his wrist in an angled position that has been shown to cause carpaltunnel and other health ailments in users who sit at their computer forhours at a time.

To alleviate this problem, many users place the keyboard in a pull outtray that is positioned near their lap. However, the mouse is oftenstill at another location. As such, the user must still position hiswrist at an awkward angle when using the mouse. In addition, the mouseis not convenient to the keyboard in this position.

Thus there remains a need in the art for an improved keyboard supporttray and arm rests for conventional open arm office chairs. There alsoremains a need for a detachable armrest and support tray that provideshinged armrests that can fold and swivel to positions out of the way ofthe user, can be retrofitted onto existing chairs, is easy to install,and provides arm rest and work surfaces for the use of both a keyboardor laptop computer, mouse, or other peripheral devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses one or more of those needs in the art byproviding a detachable armrest and support tray for supporting aperipheral device including a first portion having a mount adapted to bemounted onto an armrest in a defined configuration for securing thefirst portion to the armrest; and a second portion pivotally attached tothe first portion such that the second portion may pivot from a firstposition over the first portion for storage to a second position inwhich the first and second portions are generally aligned with thearmrest when the mount is mounted in the defined configuration.

The mount may be selected from the group consisting of clamps, hook andloop fasteners, and combinations thereof. The second portion preferablyhas a surface that is sized and configured to accommodate a mouse pad.The first portion may be attached to the mount by a tether. Thedetachable armrest and support tray may be made of a material selectedfrom the group consisting of plastics, wood, metals, and combinationsthereof.

Typically, there are two detachable armrests.

A preferred embodiment includes a tray sized to span a distance betweentwo detachable armrest and support trays mounted in the definedconfiguration on armrests of a chair for providing additional work area.Preferably, the tray is sized and configured to hold a computerkeyboard. It can also be sized and configured to hold a laptop computer.Preferably, the tray has a textured surface to inhibit sliding of itemsplaced on the tray. If the tray has a proximal end and a distal end, thetray may slope downward from the distal end to the proximal end.

The first portion may have padding positioned to provide comfort to auser. The second portion may be attached to the first portion by ahinge.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art after a reading of the following description ofthe preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a peripheral devicesupport assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tray constructedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a left oriented detachable armrest andsupport trays of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a right oriented detachable armrest andsupport tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the detachable armrest andsupport tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the detachable armrest andsupport tray of FIG. 1 in a storage position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a detachablearmrest and support tray; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a peripheral device support assembly 10.The peripheral device support assembly 10 is preferably made of ABSplastic. However, other materials including other plastics, metal, wood,and combinations thereof may be used.

The peripheral device support assembly 10 includes two detachablearmrest and support trays 11. The detachable armrest and support tray 11includes a first portion 12 and a second portion 14 that is pivotallyconnected to the first portion 12 by a hinge 26. As seen in FIG. 1, thesecond portion has a butt-like protrusion 30. The protrusion 30 abuts aforward edge 32 of the first portion when the second portion is extendedfor use. This abutment limits the travel of the second portion so thatthe second portion stops generally parallel and coplanar with the firstportion. As seen in FIG. 6, the second portion 14 may fold over thefirst portion 12 for storage.

In other embodiments, the second portion 14 may be connected to thefirst portion 12 by other connectors such as clamps, glue, welding, andany other connector. Alternatively, the first portion 12 and the secondportion 14 may be molded as one piece.

As seen in FIG. 1, the first portion 12 is covered with foam rubberpadding 13 for the comfort of a user. Other types of padding may also beused. The second portion 14 may include a surface 16 that is sized andconfigured to accommodate a computer mouse or other peripheral device.The surface 16 may be covered with a material to form a computer mousepad on the surface 16. Alternatively, the surface 16 may also be usedfor writing and other such activities.

In an embodiment, two detachable armrest and support trays 11 may beused. A tray 18 may span between each detachable armrest and supporttray 11. The tray 18 has a work surface 25 that is sized and configuredto accommodate a laptop computer, keyboard, or other peripheral device.The tray 18 may also provide writing or other workspace. The tray 18 isalso sized and configured to span the distance between two detachablearmrest and support trays 11. The tray 18 may rest on the second portion14 of each detachable armrest and support tray 11 or the tray 18 may bemounted to the second portion 14 using clamps, tape, hoop and loopfasteners, or any other suitable mount. As shown, a ridge on top of theportion 14 at the inside edge extends into a groove on the bottom of theedge of tray 18, inhibiting left-to-right shifting of the position oftray 18.

As seen in FIG. 2, the tray 18 has a proximal end 20 and a distal end22. Preferably, the edge of the tray is sloped downward from the distalend 22 to the proximal end 20. Alternatively, the tray may be flat ormay be sloped downward from the proximal end 22 to the distal end 20.Also, a textured lining 24 may be applied to the work surface 25 toprevent materials from sliding down the slope from the second end 22 tothe first end 20. Preferably, the tray's work surface 25 is formed witha textured surface. Alternatively the tray 18 may have a smooth surface.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a left-hand oriented detachable armrestand support tray 11. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a right-handoriented detachable armrest and support tray. The second portion 14 ofeach detachable armrest and support tray 11 is shaped such that thesecond portion 14 is straight on the interior, so that a user's path tothe seat is unencumbered by the second portion 14. In other embodiments,the detachable armrest and support tray may not have a specificorientation.

The second portion 14 is sized and configured to provide space for amouse or other peripheral device. However, it is not necessary to makethe second portion a specific shape. Any shape such as a circle,rectangle, square, triangle, or other shape is sufficient so long as itprovides work space for the user. A mouse pad may be mounted permanentlyor temporarily to the surface of the second portion 14.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment of thedetachable armrest and support tray 11. The detachable armrest andsupport tray 11 includes a first portion 12 and a second portion 14. Thefirst portion 12 may be attached to an existing armrest using a mount 28such as clamps, hook and loop fasteners, and any other mount. As seen inFIG. 5, the first portion 12 is held in place by a mount 28. Preferably,the mount 28 includes two mounting bars 15. The bars 15 are sized andconfigured to fit underneath the first portion 12 between the twodownward-extending sides of the portion 12. Screws are inserted throughthe top 11 into threaded inserts in the mounting bars 15. This allowsadjustment for different thickness in armrests.

To install a detachable armrest and support tray 11, a user places thefirst portion 12 over an armrest 77, positions the bars 15 underneaththe armrest, aligns the screw holes in the ends of the bar with thescrew holes in the side of the first portion 12, and inserts screwsthrough the holes in the first portion 12 and into the screw holes inthe ends of the bar.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment of adetachable armrest and support tray 11 in a folded position. In anembodiment, the detachable armrest and support tray 11 includes a firstportion 12 and a second portion 14 that is hingedly connected to thefirst portion 12 so that the second portion 14 may fold over the firstportion 12 for storage. The second portion 14 is connected to the firstportion 12 by a hinge 26. Other connectors or configurations that enablethe second portion 14 to fold over the first portion 12 may be used inlieu of a hinge 26.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a detachablearmrest and support tray 55 including a molded portion 60 that isattached to the mount 28 in such a way as to allow the molded portion 60to swivel in relation to the affixed portion 29 so that the detachablearmrest and support tray 11 may be stored to the side of a chair whilethe portion 29 remains attached to an existing armrest. The tray 55 maybe attached to the mount 28 by a tether 50. The tether 50 may be a hingepin, bungee cord, or any other flexible material that allows for twoattached items to move in relation to one another. The molded portion 55may swivel latitudinally and longitudinally in relation to the mount 28so that the molded portion 60 rests to the side of the mount 28.

In the view of FIG. 7, the tether 50 is an L-shaped pivot, allowingpivoting about each leg of the L. One leg is in the rear of the portion29 and the other is in the outside edge of the portion 60. To mount theportion 60 on the portion 29 so as to make a useable surface, onerotates the portion 60 from the view of FIG. 7 forwardly, causingrotation about the leg of the L in the rear of the portion 29. Thiscontinues until the portion 60 is rotated through about 180° from theposition shown in FIG. 7. Then, the portion 60 is rotated about the legof the L in the portion 60, toward the seating surface of the chair,until the lower side flanges of portion 60 are above the spaces oneither side of portion 29. Then the portion 60 is rotated about the legof the L in the portion 29 downwardly onto the portion 29, with thesides of portion 60 straddling the portion 29.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a detachablearmrest and support tray 111. The detachable armrest and support tray111 includes a first portion 112 and a second portion 114 that ispivotally attached to the first portion 112 by a hinge 126 so that thesecond portion 114 may fold over the second portion 112 for storage. Thefirst portion 112 is attached to the mount 128 by a tether 150 so thatthe mount 128 may swivel in relation to the mount 128 for storage.

To store the detachable armrest and support tray 111 a user may fold thesecond portion 114 over the first portion 112. Then the user may liftthe first portion upward, turn the first portion counterclockwise onequarter turn, and then turn the first portion clockwise a half turn.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should beunderstood that all such modifications and improvements have beendeleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but areproperly within the scope of the following claims.

1. A peripheral device support assembly comprising: two detachablearmrest and support trays; each of said detachable armrest and supporttrays including: a first portion being adapted to be removably attachedto an armrest of a chair; said first portion including a mount adaptedfor holding said first portion in place on said armrest of a chair; saidmount including: a plurality of mounting bars being adapted to fitunderneath said first portion between two downward-extending sides ofsaid first portion, where said plurality of mounting bars being forsecuring said armrest of a chair between said mounting bars and saidfirst portion; a second portion being connected to said first portion bya hinge said hinge including an L-shaped protrusion formed at outer endsof a perimeter of the second portion, an upper portion of said L-shapedprotrusions connected by a horizontal attachment bar, whereby, saidsecond portion extending parallel to said first portion in an extendedposition and folding over said first portion in a storage position; asurface on each of said second portions sized to accommodate a computermouse or other peripheral device in said extended position; and each ofsaid second portions having a straight inner edge and a curved outeredge, said straight inner edge allowing a user's path to said chair tobe unencumbered by said second portion, said curved outer edge providingmore space on said second portion for said surface; a tray spanning adistance between each of said detachable armrest and support trays; saidtray including a work surface sized to accommodate a laptop computer, akeyboard, or other peripheral device; and said tray being adapted torest on said second portions when in said extended position.
 2. Theperipheral device support assembly of claim 1 wherein said mounting barsbeing adapted to be screwed into said two downward-extending sides ofsaid first portion beneath said armrest.
 3. The peripheral devicesupport assembly of claim 1 wherein said two downward-extending sides ofeach of said first portions creating a cavity underneath each of saidfirst portions adapted to receive said armrest.
 4. The peripheral devicesupport assembly of claim 1 wherein said mount including two mountingbars.
 5. The peripheral device support assembly of claim 1 whereby, whensaid detachable armrest and support trays being attached to the armrestsof a chair, a user sitting in the chair between said armrests can extendthe second portions from said storage position to said extended positionand place said tray on said second portions to support a keyboard,laptop or other peripheral device, and later, remove said tray from saidsecond portions, return said second portions to said storage position,and exit the chair.
 6. The peripheral device support assembly of claim 1wherein said tray including a proximal end and a distal end, where saidtray being sloped downward from said distal end to said proximal end. 7.The peripheral device support assembly of claim 1 wherein said firstportions including padding positioned to provide comfort to a user. 8.The peripheral device support assembly of claim 1 where said worksurface including a textured lining adapted to prevent materials fromsliding.
 9. The peripheral device support assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid two detachable armrest and support trays further including a mousepad mounted to each of said second portions.
 10. The peripheral devicesupport assembly of claim 1 wherein said surface on said second portionsbeing recessed where said perimeter is a raised edge completely aroundsaid surface.
 11. The peripheral device support assembly of claim 1wherein said work surface on said tray being recessed where said worksurface having a raised edge completely around said work surface. 12.The peripheral device support assembly of claim 1 being made of amaterial selected from a group consisting of plastics, wood, metals, andcombinations thereof.
 13. The peripheral device support assembly ofclaim 1 wherein: said second portion having a pivot mount defining apivot axis at said horizontal attachment bar; said second portion beingpivotally attached to said first portion to enable pivoting movement ofsaid second portion about said pivot axis; and each L-shaped protrusionhaving a bottom being rigidly a part of said second portion and beingpositioned offset from said pivot axis, such that said second portionmay pivot from said extended position substantially 180 degrees to saidstorage position; wherein, when in said storage position, said secondportion being parallel to said first portion and substantially 180degrees from said extended position; and wherein, when in said extendedposition, said bottom abuts a forward edge of said first portion tolimit pivoting travel of said second portion so that said extendedposition of said second portion being generally parallel and coplanarwith said first portion.
 14. A peripheral device support assemblycomprising: two detachable armrest and support trays; each of saiddetachable armrest and support trays including: a first portion beingadapted to be removably attached to an armrest of a chair; said firstportion including a mount adapted for holding said first portion inplace on said armrest of a chair; said mount including: a plurality ofmounting bars being adapted to fit underneath said first portion betweentwo downward-extending sides of said first portion, where said pluralityof mounting bars being for securing said armrest of a chair between saidmounting bars and said first portion; a second portion being connectedto said first portion by a hinge, said hinge including an L-shapedprotrusion formed at outer ends of a perimeter of the second portion, anupper portion of said L-shaped protrusions connected by a horizontalattachment bar, whereby, said second portion extending parallel to saidfirst portion in an extended position and folding over said firstportion in a storage position; said second portion having a pivot mountdefining a pivot axis at said horizontal attachment bar; said secondportion being pivotally attached to said first portion to enablepivoting movement of said second portion about said pivot axis; and eachL-shaped protrusion having a bottom being rigidly a part of said secondportion and being positioned offset from said pivot axis, such that saidsecond portion may pivot from said extended position substantially 180degrees to said storage position; wherein, when in said storageposition, said second portion being parallel to said first portion andsubstantially 180 degrees from said extended position; and wherein, whenin said extended position, said bottom abuts a forward edge of saidfirst portion to limit pivoting travel of said second portion so thatsaid extended position of said second portion being generally paralleland coplanar with said first portion; a surface on each of said secondportions sized to accommodate a computer mouse or other peripheraldevice in said extended position; and each of said second portionshaving a straight inner edge and a curved outer edge, said straightinner edge allowing a user's path to said chair to be unencumbered bysaid second portion, said curved outer edge providing more space on saidsecond portion for said surface; a tray spanning a distance between eachof said detachable armrest and support trays; said tray including a worksurface sized to accommodate a laptop computer, a keyboard, or otherperipheral device; and said tray being adapted to rest on said secondportions when in said extended position.
 15. A peripheral device supportassembly comprising: two detachable armrest and support trays; each ofsaid detachable armrest and support trays including: a first portionbeing adapted to be removably attached to an armrest of a chair; saidfirst portion including a mount adapted for holding said first portionin place on said armrest of a chair; said mount including: a pluralityof mounting bars being adapted to fit underneath said first portionbetween two downward-extending sides of said first portion, where saidplurality of mounting bars being for securing said armrest of a chairbetween said mounting bars and said first portion; a second portionbeing connected to said first portion by a hinge, said hinge includingan L-shaped protrusion formed at outer ends of a perimeter of the secondportion, an upper portion of said L-shaped protrusions connected by ahorizontal attachment bar, whereby, said second portion extendingparallel to said first portion in an extended position and folding oversaid first portion in a storage position; a surface on each of saidsecond portions sized to accommodate a computer mouse or otherperipheral device in said extended position; and each of said secondportions having a straight inner edge and a curved outer edge, saidstraight inner edge allowing a user's path to said chair to beunencumbered by said second portion, said curved outer edge providingmore space on said second portion for said surface; a tray spanning adistance between each of said detachable armrest and support trays; saidtray including a work surface sized to accommodate a laptop computer, akeyboard, or other peripheral device; said work surface on said traybeing recessed where said work surface having a raised edge completelyaround said work surface; and said tray being adapted to rest on saidsecond portions when in said extended position.